Course
Objective

This course is designed to acquaint the student with basic
skills and research tools for political inquiry and quantitative analysis. We
will trace all steps of the research process - asking the research question,
formulating the hypothesis, collecting data, analyzing data, and evaluating the
hypothesis - for empirical analysis, and learn a variety of research and
analytical techniques. These techniques encompass library research,
bibliographic search, Internet searching skill, use of computer, data
collection, survey, interview, questionnaire, content analysis, sampling,
descriptive and inferential statistics, and writing and reviewing a research
report.

The course
mainly focuses on empirical political analysis. Our examples cover
international relations, comparative politics, American politics, and other
sub-fields of political science that are based on empirical evidence. In
addition, the course will explore various hot current issues in the real world.
For instance, American voting behavior,
the elections 2004 voting turnout, the emotional response to September
11 terrorist attacks, perception of the further risk of terrorist attacks,
public opinion about war against Iraq,
the North Korea’s
nuclear weapons program, and others interesting issues will be analyzed through
various research tools.

The lecturer
assumes that the student has no serious background in computer software
statistical packages for social science research and basic statistics. To
provide the essential methods and concepts for empirical and quantitative
analysis of political phenomena to the student, this course will include the
theoretical understanding of basic statistics and the practical use of data
analysis software (statistical package for social research, SPSS) in DuSable 170 computer lab.
Sometimes students will do field work in and off campus to collect data for
these course examples. By the end of the
semester, it is expected that students who have successfully completed this
course will have a strong foundation of empirical research tools and
quantitative techniques for further research work.

Format

This course consists of theoretical lessons by the instructor and
practical training for the student in class and the computer lab. Theoretical
notes and regular lab assignments will be given before each class so that the
student has the opportunity to practice research skills and quantitative
political analysis. In each session, short quizzes will be required in order to
check students’ understanding of the class. In addition, brief discussions
about the current hot topics will encourage the student to build a critical
research strategy.

Requirements

1) Attendance and Class Discussion (20%)

On-time class attendance and continuous participation for class
discussion are considered significant parts of getting a good grade and are
essential for students to accomplishing this course objective. Students should attend
each computer lab and read the theoretical notes and assignments ahead of
class. Through the class discussion, students share their idea with other
students and compare their own perspective with different others viewpoints
attentively. Students who miss three classes cannot get credit.

2) In-class Final-term Examination (20%)

There is one in-class final-examination to test the theoretical
understanding of important concepts and research skills of the course. The
instructor will have a review session before the examination to help students.
The questions in this exam will be a combination of short answers, essay
questions, and correct answer selection.

3) Assignments (40%)

The assignments include doing library research and bibliographic work,
research design and proposal, formulating a questionnaire, collecting and
presenting data, and calculating statistical tests. Each assignment will be
graded on a 0-10 scale (0: not turned in, 1-5: poor or delayed, 6-7:
acceptable, 8-9: good, 10: excellent).

Each group of student will be given a group project and will present a
paper based on their statistical research work in the last week’s session. The
research paper should include statistical research results with an explanation.
Each group should hand in all respondents’ questionnaires and a CD on which
Excel format survey data is saved.

The
required course fee ($35) allows us to access the Computer Lab in DuSable
170. We will use the lab for library search, survey analysis, and
quantitative research techniques such as the SPSS. The lab is open Monday
through Friday. The Spring 2006 lab schedule will be informed.

Students with Disabilities

“Under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NIU
is committed to making reasonable accommodations for persons with documented
disabilities. Those students with disabilities that may have some impact on
their coursework and for which they may require accommodations should notify
the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR) on the fourth floor of the HealthServicesBuilding.
CAAR will assist students in making appropriate accommodations with course
instructor. It is important that CAAR and instructor be informed of any
disability-related needs during the first two weeks of the semester.”